Anthropogenic effects on soils in the eastern Tibetan Plateau revealed by geochemical elemental characteristics.

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) constitutes a fragile and sensitive ecological environment, which is vulnerable to global climate change and human activities. To investigate the anthropogenic effects on the TP's environmental system is valuable for guiding human responses and adaptations to future environmental changes. In this study, we detailedly analyzed the geochemical elements of four representative soil sections developed on loess from Ganzi, Jinchuan, Aba, and Chuanzhusi in the eastern TP. The chemical elemental profiles distinctly indicated the presence of typical anthropogenic elements (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, Mn, and Fe), underscoring the substantial influence of human activities on TP soil, and showing spatial variance. Our results indicate that anthropogenic impacts were relatively low at Aba and Ganzi, resulting in a deficit of anthropogenic elements at the surface layer. Whereas at Jinchuan and Chuanzhusi, relatively intense anthropogenic impacts have led to the enrichment of anthropogenic elements in the topsoil. We infer that agricultural activities, increased traffic, and expansion of tourism activities were the major factors affecting the anthropogenic elements of TP soils. Our study highlights the impact of human activities on soil geochemical processes in the Tibetan Plateau.

Clinicopathologic features of gastric glomus tumor: A report of 15 cases and literature review.

Objective: Glomus tumor is a relatively uncommon soft tissue neoplasm predominantly occurring in upper extremity (fingers), less reported in stomach. This study aimed to discuss the clinicopathologic features of gastric glomus tumor (GGT) and then provide reference for clinical practice. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all cases pathologically diagnosed of GGT was performed, pathological findings were correlated with clinical information, immunohistochemical studies, next-generation sequencing, and patient follow-ups. A review of literature by searching similar cases was conducted to summarize previous knowledge of GGTs. Results: Our study identified 15 GGTs included 5 males and 10 females, aged between 35-75 years old (median, 49 years old). The tumor was located to the gastric corpus in 6 cases (40%) and to the antrum in 9 cases (60%). The maximum tumor diameter ranged between 1-4 cm (median, 1.5 cm). There were 11 cases (73%) of solid glomus tumor, 3 cases (20%) of mixture of solid glomus tumor and glomangioma, and 1 case (7%) of glomangiomyoma. Partial spindle cell area was observed in 3 cases (20%), moderate cellular atypia in 1 case (7%), atypical mitosis in 1 case (7%), vascular invasion in 5 cases (33%), neural invasion in 6 cases (40%) and tumor necrosis in 1 case (7%). Tumor cells expressed Collagen type IV, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and synaptophysin in most cases. The Ki67 index varied from 1% to 30%. Next-generation sequencing reported EGFR, PIK3CA, KEAP1 and TP53 mutation. The outcome information was obtained in 12 (80%) cases, followed for 6-63 months, 11 patients (92%) had tumor-free survival and 1 patient (8%) developed liver metastasis 26 months after surgery. Literature review obtained 16 previously reported malignant GGT cases. In terms of the total 31 cases, univariate analysis revealed that the atypical mitosis (OS: p = 0.009; DFS: p = 0.010) and severe cellular atypia (OS: p = 0.007; DFS: p = 0.004) were significantly associated with poor prognosis (patient death). Conclusion: GGT is indolent, while long-term close follow-up should be required in the presence of increasing number of risk factors. Malignant GGT is relatively uncommon and predisposes to liver metastasis, calling for accumulation of large-sample data and experience.

Comparisons of topsoil geochemical elements from Northwest China and eastern Tibetan Plateau identify the plateau interior as Tibetan dust source.

The high-altitude Tibetan Plateau (TP) is a potential substantial source of dust that could have major effects on the global dust cycle and lead to environmental change. Aeolian loess on the TP is a valuable archive for studying the history of dust activities. Identification of TP dust sources will deepen understanding of dust transport and atmospheric circulation patterns and their environmental impacts. However, consensus on the source of TP loess has not been reached, which hinders understanding of dust transport and paleoenvironmental explanations. In this study, topsoil and loess samples from Northwest (NW) China and eastern TP were used to systematically investigate the spatial variability in geochemical composition, and the element characteristics of the TP loess were used to identify its dust source. Compared with samples from NW China, the eastern TP topsoil and loess were relatively enriched in TiO2, MnO, Cr, Co, Y, Zr, Nb, La, Ce, and Hf, but relatively depleted in Na2O, MgO, CaO, Sr, and Pb. The geochemical composition and source analyses indicated that the dust from the Qaidam Basin, Hexi Corridor, and Tarim Basin in NW China was not the main contributing source to the TP loess. However, the elemental characteristics of the TP loess were broadly consistent, and element contents were similar to those of major and trace elements in surface sediments on the TP. Thus, the eastern TP loess was sourced primarily from the TP interior, revealing the TP as an important dust source in Asia.

A wireless blood pressure monitoring system for personal health management.

In this paper, we developed a wireless blood pressure monitoring system which provides a useful tool for users to measure and manage their daily blood pressure values. This system includes an ARM-based blood pressure monitor with a ZigBee wireless transmission module and a PC-based management unit with graphic user interface and database. The wireless blood pressure monitor can measure the blood pressure and heart rate and then store and forward the measuring information to the management unit through the ZigBee wireless transmission. On the management unit, user can easy to see their blood pressure variation in the past using a line chart. Accuracy of blood pressure measurement has been verified by a commercial blood pressure simulator and shown the bias of systolic blood pressure is ≤ 1 mmHg and the bias of diastolic blood pressure is ≤ 1.4 mmHg.

[Detection of cell apoptosis in the pathological tissues of patients with SARS and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role and mechanism of apoptosis in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS: Klenow-FragELTM DNA Fragmentation Detection Kit and immunohistochemical alkaline phosphatase detection reagent kit were used to detect cell apoptosis and expressions of CD68, CD20, CD4, CD8 and CD45RA in the pathological tissues of SARS patients. RESULTS: Apoptotic cells increased significantly in the spleen, lung and lymph nodes of SARS patients as compared with normal tissues. The apoptotic cells included pneumocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes, and CD68+ monocytes were observed in abundance in the lung, spleen and lymph nodes of SARS patients. In the lung tissue of the patients, few CD20+/CD45RA+ B cells and CD4+/CD8+ T cells were spotted, and CD20+/CD45RA+ B cells along with CD4+/CD8+ T cells were also significantly decreased in the spleen and lymph nodes, where few conserved B and T cells underwent apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis is a general phenomenon in SARS, and the invasive cells in the pathological tissues are primarily monocytes, suggesting that apoptosis and invasion of monocyte play important roles in the progression of SARS. The cell apoptosis and decreased number of T cell and B cells in the lungs and CD4+/CD8+ T cells and CD20+/CD45RA+ B cells in the spleen and lymph nodes indicate that the SARS virus may exercise immune cell-killing effect to some extent during its pathogenesis.